After holding training camp there from Oct. 1-6 last year, the team announced Thursday that the 2013 return would only take place on Oct. 4 and 5, including an intra-squad game on the 5th at the Halifax Metro Centre.

“We are excited to return to Halifax after our great experience last year,” Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said in a release.

“The city offers us state of the art facilities and the opportunity to continue to grow the game of basketball across the country.”

Last year’s scrimmage attracted more than 8,700 fans and raised $56,000 for local charities.

“We are proud of our continued partnership with the Toronto Raptors and are excited to welcome them to the Halifax Metro Centre for a second year in a row,” said Scott Ferguson, president and CEO of Trade Centre Limited, the provincial Crown corporation that manages the Halifax Metro Centre.

“The Raptors have a huge fan base in our community and when an opportunity like this comes along to engage fans and support local charitable organizations at the same time, it is a win for everyone.”

A voluntary donation of $10 per ticket is suggested for admission to this year’s event, benefitting Feed Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame Education Program, Kidsport Nova Scotia and YWCA Supportive Housing for Young Mothers. Tickets will be available at participating AML Communications locations beginning Friday, July 26. Additional ticketing information is available at: www.ticketatlantic.com.

The Raptors will hold two closed practices on Oct. 4.

The organization will also hold two youth basketball clinics and host a mentoring session for 40 local coaches.

Previously, the Raptors have held part of training camp in Vancouver, Italy, Spain, Buffalo and elsewhere in Ontario.

The first game in franchise history was in Halifax on Oct. 14, 1995, when the Raptors defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 120-107 in pre-season action.

The rest of this year’s camp will be held in Toronto.

This will be Rudy Gay’s first training camp with the club and the first without Andrea Bargnani since 2006.

Linas Kleiza also won’t be there. The recently amnestied forward has signed a two-year contract to sign in Turkey, according to Yahoo! Sports.

Will hold part of camp in Maritimes again

After holding training camp there from Oct. 1-6 last year, the team announced Thursday that the 2013 return would only take place on Oct. 4 and 5, including an intra-squad game on the 5th at the Halifax Metro Centre.

“We are excited to return to Halifax after our great experience last year,” Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said in a release.

“The city offers us state of the art facilities and the opportunity to continue to grow the game of basketball across the country.”

Last year’s scrimmage attracted more than 8,700 fans and raised $56,000 for local charities.

“We are proud of our continued partnership with the Toronto Raptors and are excited to welcome them to the Halifax Metro Centre for a second year in a row,” said Scott Ferguson, president and CEO of Trade Centre Limited, the provincial Crown corporation that manages the Halifax Metro Centre.